Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District Authority has signed a HK$3 billion, 10-year loan with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia), or ICBC. This long loan deal will help fund the arts hub until its property project begins to generate income. Bernard Chan, the authority’s board chairman, said, "The loan facility will bridge a funding gap, and the significance is that the bank is confident about our future ability to make money." The West Kowloon Cultural District includes the M+ modern art museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, with the WestK Performing Arts Centre opening soon. The authority also plans a big residential development with 1,995 homes, approved in 2024 to solve its financial issues. Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee, CEO of the authority, said rental income from commercial properties, like the Artist Square Towers, will start in 2027. The residential project will bring larger, long-term income but will take longer to complete. Chan added, "That’s why the loan facility is so important to us." The loan's long term is unusual in Hong Kong, showing strong bank confidence. On top of the loan, the authority filed to issue up to US$1 billion in bonds in several tranches. Chief Financial Officer Carmen Lee said, "If market conditions allow, we can issue bonds for fresh funding." The arts hub recorded operating deficits of HK$769 million, HK$578 million, and HK$718 million in 2025, 2024, and 2023 respectively. The funding plan is modeled on the MTR Corporation’s approach, using property developments to support core operations. ICBC aims to boost Hong Kong and China's cultural financial strength through this deal, said chairman Liu Yagan.